This summer, the worlds of fashion, theater, and cultural legacy will meet on the East End as Bay Street Theater prepares to debut Mister Halston, a new stage production centered on one of American fashion’s most legendary designers. Set to run June 2 through June 21, 2026, in Sag Harbor, New York, the world premiere arrives with added style credibility and star power through the involvement of internationally acclaimed designer and philanthropist Donna Karan, who has officially joined the production as Executive Producer.
Presented by Bay Street Theater, Mister Halston is positioned to be one of the season’s most compelling theatrical events for audiences who appreciate not only live performance, but also the enduring influence of fashion history. The production explores the life, success, and unraveling of Halston, the visionary designer whose name became synonymous with glamour, sensuality, and the sleek sophistication of American style in the 1970s and 1980s.
Written by Raffaele Pacitti and directed by Michael Wilson, the play offers an intimate and dramatic portrait of the man behind the global brand. Rather than simply celebrating Halston’s iconic status, the work promises to take audiences deeper—into the ambition, vulnerability, artistry, and personal cost that often accompany fame. Against the backdrop of New York’s glittering fashion and nightlife culture, Mister Halston traces the emotional and professional journey of a designer who helped redefine how American fashion was seen around the world.
Donna Karan’s involvement gives the production even greater cultural resonance. As one of the most respected names in fashion, Karan brings personal insight and historical connection to the project. Her admiration for Halston’s design legacy is deeply rooted in an understanding of how he transformed the industry. She noted that Halston defined modern American fashion through clean lines, pure shapes, liquid fabrics, and a sensual attitude, helping shape the creative path for generations of designers who followed.
That connection makes her executive producer role especially meaningful. Karan is not simply lending her name to a production—she is helping elevate a story that speaks directly to the artistic daring and innovation that characterized an unforgettable era in style. Her involvement also reflects her continued relationship with Bay Street Theater, which honored her at its 2025 Gala alongside Christie Brinkley. During that celebration, the creative team behind Mister Halston presented a tribute inspired by the legendary 1973 Battle of Versailles, the landmark fashion showdown that changed global perceptions of American design. That preview performance sparked excitement, and now that same creative energy is being expanded into a full-scale world premiere.
Bay Street Theater Artistic Director Scott Schwartz emphasized the significance of this collaboration, noting the theater’s pride in partnering with Tony Award-winning producer Bruce Robert Harris as well as Donna Karan for this bold new work. Together, the team is bringing to life a production that blends theater, fashion, and cultural history in a way that feels both timely and timeless.
For fashion lovers, Mister Halston offers more than nostalgia. It provides a renewed lens on a figure whose influence still echoes across runways, red carpets, and contemporary design. For theater audiences, it offers the emotional depth of a biography shaped by power, vision, excess, and reinvention. And for cultural observers, it captures a transformative period when American fashion moved from the margins to the center of the global conversation.
Bay Street Theater itself is a fitting home for such a production. For 35 years, the nonprofit professional theater and community arts center has served the East End by presenting meaningful artistic work that engages audiences through storytelling and live performance. With Mister Halston, Bay Street adds another ambitious chapter to its legacy—one that honors a fashion icon while introducing his story to a new generation.
Those interested in learning more about the production can visit HalstonPlay.com and Bay Street Theater for tickets and season information.
Six Key Highlights
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Donna Karan has joined Mister Halston as Executive Producer, bringing major fashion authority to the world premiere.
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The production runs June 2 through June 21, 2026 at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, New York.
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Mister Halston is a new play by Raffaele Pacitti and directed by Michael Wilson.
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The story explores the rise, fame, and fall of iconic American designer Halston.
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Tony Award-winning producer Bruce Robert Harris is also helping bring the production to the stage.
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Tickets for Mister Halston and the theater’s 2026 Summer Mainstage Season are available through Bay Street Theater.
Report Lela Christine